Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has opened double-digit leads over top 2008
Democratic presidential contenders in Florida, beating either New York Sen. Hillary Clinton or
former Sen. John Edwards 50 - 40 percent, and topping Illinois Sen. Barack Obama 52 - 36
percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to a 47 - 42 percent Giuliani lead over Sen. Clinton in a March 7 survey by
the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In this latest survey, Giuliani leads the Republican pack with 35 percent, followed by
Arizona Sen. John McCain with 15 percent, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 11 percent,
former U.S. Senator and actor Fred Thompson at 6 percent and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt
Romney at 5 percent.

With 36 percent, Clinton keeps her lead among Democrats. But former Vice President Al
Gore has moved up to 16 percent, followed by Sen. Obama at 13 percent and Edwards at 11
percent.

"There is an old saying in Dixie that the further south you get the further north it looks, so
perhaps that explains former Mayor Giuliani's strength. Whatever the reason, he is clearly the
front-runner in Florida - home to relocated New Yorkers," said Peter Brown, assistant director of
the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

All three Democrats defeat Romney, but by much smaller margins than in past Quinnipiac
University polls. Romney, however, who has been actively campaigning for some time and has
raised an estimated $15 million-plus, finds himself for the third consecutive recent Quinnipiac
University poll (Ohio and Pennsylvania are the others) tied or trailing Thompson, whose
supporters are pressing him to run.

"Obviously there is some support for a Thompson candidacy should he run. He is the least
known of the candidates, but among the Republicans and independents who know him, he is well
thought of," said Brown. "And if Gore is seriously thinking about running, his continued strength
among party activists is encouraging news."

Giuliani's lead over McCain among GOP primary voters has gone from 6 points February
7, to 20 points March 7, with 20 points today.

Giuliani also has the most impressive showing when voters rate the candidates favorably
or unfavorably, 59 - 19 percent. Favorability ratings for other candidates are:

48 - 25 percent for McCain;

47 - 45 percent for Clinton;

42 - 20 percent for Obama;

50 - 25 percent for Edwards;

65 percent haven't heard enough about Romney to form an opinion;

74 percent haven't heard enough about Thompson.

"While Sen. Obama has been narrowing the Democratic primary gap with Sen. Clinton
in Pennsylvania and Ohio, he is far behind her in Florida. Former Vice President Gore,
meanwhile, is moving toward center stage, even as he remains coy about his candidacy," said
Brown.

From March 21 - 27, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,061 Florida voters, with a margin
of error of +/- 3 percentage points. The survey includes 445 Republicans with a margin of error
of +/- 4.7 percentage points, and 405 Democrats, with a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percentage
points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. (If registered Democrat) If the 2008 Democratic primary for President were
being held today, and the candidates were Joe Biden, Wesley Clark, Hillary
Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Al Gore, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich,
Barack Obama and Bill Richardson for whom would you vote?

TREND: (If registered Democrat) If the 2008 Democratic primary for President were
being held today, and the candidates were Joe Biden, Wesley Clark, Hillary
Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Al Gore, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich,
Barack Obama and Bill Richardson, for whom would you vote? na = not asked